I'm headed for Victoria, B.C. with Anna tomorrow, so I'll keep my report short.

My scans came back with stable and reduced lesions. The Tagrisso (targeted therapy) continues to work. I don't take this lightly. I know "stable" and "reduced" lesions buy me time. But I am becoming aware that--wherever I am, I'm on cancer's timeline. Seventeen pills a day, ward off weakness with regular  gym workouts and walking outside, psychologist and palliative care check in next week, speech therapist (what's that word again?) and a brain health specialist eventually, and three month scans in mid-July. Repeat. I have to remember to live today only, otherwise this process is grueling--like practicing piano when you are 10-years-old. Same song over and over. Blah, blah, blah.

Speaking of piano, I'm taking lessons. I learned to play the organ (my mother's idea) when I was between 12 and 14. I've forgotten all the basics. But I have been using this site called musictheory.net and practicing identifying the bass clef again, and practicing at a Lutheran Church that is 3/4 miles away. I'm also taking voice lessons. Since I returned to church at Phinney Ridge with my sister and her husband, I've noticed that the medicine affects my vocal chords. It's a lot of work, but reading music and practicing voice has helped my cognition as well.

Speaking of cognition, I have reread Kate Bowler's two memoirs, and I'm now onto a 370-page tome called Song of the Cell, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. He authored The Emperor of All Maladies previously. Talk about a cognition test! I'm learning cell biology and its history, pathology, how it affects  medical treatments, and the advances in the last century. I got past the history, and then I started reading with interest. Thank God, we have doctors who know how to metaphors and similes when talking about cells. I hope I make it to the end.

I love all of you, and am so appreciative that you take the time to read and respond. It means a great deal to me to be seen.

I also appreciate you sharing your health stories in cards, letters, and texts. I pray for you in your challenging and beautiful lives.

Lori